Development of a laboratory manual in fluid mechanics with minimal equipment resources

• Main Author: Rigor, Bernardo G.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1988
• Subjects: Fluid mechanics > Laboratory manuals; Fluid Dynamics; Physics
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/1205
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study aims to develop a laboratory manual in fluid mechanics, for students enrolled in civil engineering. Through the manual, this study attempts to show that a fluid mechanics laboratory need not depend solely on imported, highly technical and more advanced apparatuses in order to teach and facilitate the learning of students. Laboratory experiments in fluid mechanics can be performed with the use of an available existing apparatus ('tutor' flow channel) and some inexpensive improvised apparatuses in order to reinforce the learning of students on the basic concepts and principles in fluid mechanics. The manual consists of 10 experiments derived from the different topics in fluid mechanics. It covers properties of fluids, fluid static forces, kinematics of fluids, energy and momentum in fluid flow, fluid flow in pipes, and open channels. The ten experiments are as follows: experiment no. 1, relative density experiment no. 2, Archimedes principle experiment no. 3. Bernoulli's energy theorem experiment no. 4, Venturi meter experiment no. 5, Orifice coefficient experiment no. 6, rectangular weir experiment no. 7, triangular and trapezoidal weirs experiment no. 8, head loss experiment no. 9, The three reservoir problem experiment no. 10, hydraulic jump. Significant consequences of the study (that is, of the developed laboratory manual) are: (1) The operational expenses of the laboratory are minimized since it makes use of the available existing apparatus ('Tutor' Flow Channel) and some inexpensive improvised apparatuses (2) Students will have the opportunity to develop and acquire certain skills and abilities to make simple apparatus (3) Students will be motivated to do good work in the laboratory and, (4) It provides the students an easier and better understanding on the basic concepts and principles involved in fluid mechanics.